Old Friend

The year seems to be rabidly coming to an end and it has been a pretty interesting one to say the least. I have been fortunate enough to make a few friends over the years and see their cars come together and have some insight on a few as well. This little RPU belongs to an old shop mate of mine and without exaggeration I saws him build it no less than three times in one year. It evolved into one of my favorites and is such a prime example of what a traditional hot rod shop look like.

ZIP!!!!

 

When something looks fast sitting still you know when it does move it means business. It’s a natural fit to take a very light economical car and stuff the biggest most gruesome engine imaginable in it. .It’s a balance of function and power but when you can add form it’s a winning combination. This is the “Austin Mangler” and its sound, stance, and pure industrious appeal warrant such a ferocious name.

No Love

Change is constant, that statement is undisputable and everything must run its course. Before the “craft beer” craze and food blogs there was “Lovejoys”.  This is one of those iconic dirty sixth bars that brewed its own beer, attracted a mix bag of clientele, and screamed punk rock. On a good Saturday night the curb was lined with vintage motorcycles, café racers, and local metal heads. The interior always had a few interesting pieces of art and ice cold pictures of beer. Sadly it closed down this fall and a little bit of the old guard died along with it.

Busy Busy Busy!

To say that I’ve been busy is a complete understatement but I still have found some time to snap some pictures.  Last month the fine city of Austin was host to yet another great car show “The Revolution” and I managed to capture a few shots. I was notified that this picture in particular has made the rounds on a few message boards and blogs so I figured I’d drink my own kool aid and post it on my own. I plan on moving this blog to Twitter very soon but in the meantime I will be posting some shots before I make the move, cheers.

King Kong

I love log manifolds, they just look so damn cool on vintage motors. This lovely duo belongs to Austin's own Mercury Charlie and sit in the jewel box of Sweet Nadine. The amount of detail and polish are not captured in black and white very well but neither did the Kong versions of yester years little books.

Back

I've been slacking, I've been a little busy but I have not forgotten what I'm doing here. Here's a small sneak peak of what I've got going on and I've got some big things coming up.

Farm Truck

I have a soft spot in my heart for old farm trucks. I learned to drive in an old farm truck and had some very special memories with the old work horse from my parent’s farm. So when I see an old truck rusting away in a pasture or still clinging to life doing its daily chores it just warms my soul. This was a short term project of a good buddy of mine and I regret not buying it when I had the chance.

Fin City

New cars suck; new cars are safe and round and economical. Gone are the days of rocket edges and heavy chrome. Looking back at the relics of our past I hope the same inspirational curves and lines are not lost into today’s wide eyed youth but I fear it has.  I can see how the early designers kept the space race and forward momentum alive they just used fins to keep them on track.

The James Roadster

Sometimes timing is everything, I realize that I live in a very exciting time and place. The amount of cars and quality in Central Texas almost rival Southern California. I have to stop and pinch myself sometimes when I get to see the game changers early. Television is what it is but art cannot be diluted and Jesse James roadster truly is a work of art. I feel very fortunate that I was able to not only see but shoot this amazing 32 roadster before it descended on the masses.

Homeslice

It’s probably pretty pointless to post a photo of a neon sign in black and white. You miss the colorful fuzzy glow and artfully blown glass corners the photos really don’t do the art justice. But I really wanted to focus on the main piece instead of the neon in this shot. I think even if this signage wasn’t illuminated it still would be a very attractive sign. Next time you grab a pie at Homeslice tip your hat to this little fellow standing guard over South Congress.

Revolution

My favorite show of the season is upon us! The absolute best of tradtional hot rods and kustoms in one spot in my very own backyard.Check it out here http://www.hotrodrevolution.com/

Gow

The early dirt track cars are a thing of simple beauty. Engine, tires, and go…that’s it and nothing more. Safety, helmets, and fire suits had not yet demanded their attention yet. I will always  marvel at the simplicity of the “Gow Jobs”  the pioneers really had oil in their blood.

Wired

There is always a little bit of style in a set of Ford wire wheels. Unlike the solid steel versions the wires give the illusion of the car “cutting” through the air. I always seem to be drawn to the wire wheels like a moth to flame.

Plates

My Dad is probably responsible for my lack of interest in everything that isn’t car related. And it can be pinpointed directly to old license plates. He would scrounge thru flea markets, garage sales, and hoarder collections for the most unique and oldest plates from all over the globe. Every time I see an old plate I think about turning wrenches against rusted bolts in an effort to remove the latest find.

The Elephant in the Room

Texas Tuff

How hard is this car? I mean really would you see anyone driving down today’s roads in a car like this  at break neck speeds? Probably not, which makes this car all the more special and even cooler. The term “survivor” gets thrown around a lot but this car really looks like the winning dog in a fifty year fight and now it is being reborn to prowl the streets once again in its unnatural glory. 
Find out more here:

 www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=420970&highlight=tuffy+build

Flowmaster

The 1938 Ford has gotten little love over the last seventy years. It’s one of those “in between” cars of that era that never really had a ton of popularity until recently. I think they look pretty sharp the round and curvy glass and grill match the rest of the car. Instead of “cutting” the airflow like the very deco 37 Ford front ends it moves the air around it by shape and dynamics. Maybe that’s why this car has gained so much recent popularity it just went around the trends instead of through it.

Mock Up

Sometimes you just can’t wait; sometimes you must see what the end will look like far before it is within reality. And sometimes you just need to make sure what you’re doing is right and your idea is actually coming together. Something about mock ups look so right, before the clutter of nerve endings it makes a clean simple statement.



Back to School

There is a level of respect that should be given to the classic styling. Much like the world greatest Chefs you must perfect the classics before you mess with them. This 36 Ford is a perfect blend of tradition and modern function.  

Brass

I’m in the middle of Henry Ford’s Autobiography right now and my affection and appreciation for his products are ever increasing.  I guess the early years were one of growth and wonder but Ford had a vision and part of it was creating a product that people would continue to use. This is actually the front grill of a model T tow truck, a think seeing this old work horse in action a hundred years ago must have been a wonderful delight. I’m sure Ford knew his truck towing the competition was far better marketing than an ad in The New Yorker.

Smile

Lee Pratt is a very familiar name in custom cars circles. For the last four decades he’s been churning out some of the most beautiful well thought out customs ever built. His Black and purple laced 58 Impala is no exception. Lee really didn’t stray far from the simple but elegant factory lines and created an eye catching car that stands the test of time.  

Hardtop Dreams

The 1962 two door Impala is a rare bird. Not exactly in a production numbers sense but what can be done with it. It is one of the few cars that transcends all automotive interests and could go in any build direction. You literally could make these cars into a paneled lowrider, simple cruiser, or full on drag car and it looks excellent either way. I found this car very solid and intact about ten years ago and sadly it is no more. It may be the one and only 62 Impala I will ever find in a junkyard setting I’m glad I had my camera with me that day.

Bare Bone's

How is it at a car show with several thousand people in attendance that these two cars don’t have hoards of people standing around them? There should be an angry mob fighting to get closer or have their pictures taken with these two stunning pieces of automotive perfection. Sadly most people navigate towards the lime green abominations or fire throwing carnival rides that patrol the grounds these days. I just can’t get enough of either of these two cars they embrace the style and essence that is so rarely found.

Or Death

One of my favorite watering holes….. that is all.

Family Style

Remember when every car manufacturer offered a station wagon? When families would pile into a station wagon and drive hundreds of miles, eat at roadside parks, and see the world largest whatever? Sadly there are only a few companies that offer wagons now and a little piece of Americana is slowly dying.

Slip and Slide

I snapped this shot at the second Revolution show last year at the local Air Force Base. To me old waterslide stickers are like looking at ancient hieroglyphics simple and to the point.

Flatheads Forever

Nobody can argue how important and influential the Ford Flathead has been for the last 80 years. It is and always will be the iconic Hot Rod engine. Even sitting between frame rails the industrial look and feel conjureing images of propelling a duece down dirt roads and byways.

Still the King

I dig old BIG industrial machinery and public transportation from the 40’s and50’s. With no iphones, internet, or television to pump the public full of media anything large and slab sided became a rolling billboard. This bus is parked in front of “The Broken Spoke” on South Lamar. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in this thing sixty years ago, if only it could talk.

With a "K"

I just can't wrap my mind around what the streets of southern California must have looked like in the 1940's. Kustoms and Hot Rod's in abundance and fairly new cars I might add. This is Steve Wertheimers Carson topped 41 Mercury. It is literally a time machine back to a very narrow and almost forgotten era of customizing. Steve is the proprietor of Austin’s Continental Club and Ring leader of the Austin based car club The Kontinentals. To see this car in person and shot it in black and white was a pure joy and hopefully I was able to capture some of the nostalgia from a bygone era.

Beauty in symmetry

Not everything on a Hot Rod should be hardnosed and barbaric. Case in point The Bass coupe, the rear deck of the car is pure art. Early Hot Rodders would use louvers to allow heat dispersion and airflow to their advantage. The last few years the traditional movement has reintroduced them to be more aesthetic and purposeful.

Local Hero

 I love cars that just DEMAND your attention, I cannot due this car justice in description so check out the progress from the beginning right here. ->      http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145718

Guns up!

Thanksgiving 2008 I took a little trip back to my college stomping grounds of Texas Tech. It was a cold day and school had already let out for Thanksgiving break. I walked around a bit before the sun set and tried to capture it as I remembered......I couldn't.

Old Gold

Why are old Ford's sitting in junkyards just so damn romantic? I look at the beat down shells of these trucks and cars and often wonder what sorted pasts they once lived. Even in the current state and condition this old F1 has a regal stance and elegance to it.

NoGo

Sometimes projects never get off the ground, case in point the 1963 Nova convertible from 2003. It just wasn't meant to be and after several years of dragging it across Texas it found a new home in 2007. I little part of me hope's it's on the road and being loved and another part knows it's a stationary dream.

Musica Magnifica

Part of the romance of living in Austin is the music. You would be hard pressed not to know at least one person who isn't in a band or works with one. I shot this at a birthday party last week at the local Moose Lodge. It felt like a time machine back to old Austin before the hipsters and computer companies took over.



Revival

Last February Austin Speed Shop had a little reliability run at the shop. I woke up early and went down to South Austin to snap a few pictures and check out the cars in attendance. This grainy offset picture really speaks in my opinion to what these guys are doing down there. You can check out their projects here http://www.austinspeedshop.com/ you'll be glad you did.



First love

                                           Some things are just here to break your heart.

SoCo

South Congress has turned into a hotbed of custom car activity. It holds host to The Lonestar Roundup and is just an all around cool spot. I took a day off last winter and took the camera downtown to see what was going on. I spotted this cool little Plymouth parked outside of Docs; cool never takes a day off.



Top Notch

The scene has changed, what was old and outdated has come full circle and became cool once again. The local Burger stand used in the 1993 movie "Dazed and Confused" hosts a little get together once a month. Last weekend a very charming 32 sedan arrived sporting a flathead and original patina.

Gas crisis

    

I love old gas stations, the older the better they just have so much character. This one is located on HWY 105/1155 in Washington, TX and is run by the Scale family for the last 50 years or so.

Flashback 2002

I took this photo about ten years ago in Rosebud Texas. Junkyards of this caliber just don’t exist anymore and neither does this one.

Toms truck

Tom is a dear friend of mine with incredible taste and style. Toms 49 Chevy can be seen driving in Austin Texas daily usually with a ladder or mower in the bed because after all it is a truck.

The Dub

                                               My hometown has soul......and drips style.
                Koupe de jour's 53 Ford Mainline coupe in front of "Browns Place" Old Washington, Tx

Live from Austin Texas

                                     

                                         Well gang here we go, presenting "C41 Vintage"
I see the world in black and white and this is my outlet to share how I feel photography should be...simple.